noun
Uncommon
barracks
BA-ruhks
Barracks (noun) means a building or group of buildings where soldiers live. Example: “The unit returned to barracks after a week of field exercises.”
noun
1
A building or group of buildings where soldiers live.
"The unit returned to barracks after a week of field exercises."
"New barracks were built to house the growing garrison."
"The recruits unpacked their kit in the barracks and lined up for inspection."
How to use barracks
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHousing for soldiers on a military base.
Common pairings
army barracks
confined to barracks
return to barracks
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The unit returned to _____ after a week of field exercises.
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Frequently asked questions
What does “barracks” mean?
The word “barracks” means a building or group of buildings where soldiers live. In plain terms, housing for soldiers on a military base.
How do you pronounce “barracks”?
“Barracks” is pronounced BA-ruhks (/ˈbæɹəks/ in IPA).
How do you use “barracks” in a sentence?
Here is “barracks” used in a sentence: “The unit returned to barracks after a week of field exercises.”
What part of speech is “barracks”?
“Barracks” is a noun.
Is “barracks” a common word?
“Barracks” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Is "barracks" singular or plural?
Barracks is one of those English nouns that looks plural but can be treated as either singular or plural, as in "the barracks is old" or "the barracks are being repaired." Both uses are common, though many speakers default to singular agreement for one building.
What is the difference between barracks and a garrison?
Barracks refers to the actual buildings where soldiers live, while a garrison is the body of troops stationed at a particular place, or sometimes the fort or town itself. A garrison can be housed in barracks.
Is "barracks" only used for military housing?
While barracks originally and most commonly refers to military accommodation, the term is occasionally extended to describe basic, dormitory-style housing for other groups, such as workers. The military sense remains by far the most common usage.
